REVIEW: ONE THOUSAND ROPES
One Thousand Ropes brings a beautiful Samoan sensibility to the big screen for the second time.
In the same way that the Orator delved into the interior of Samoa - rainforests, taro leaves and torments, One Thousand ropes looks to the interior minds of its characters - again focusing on the most vulnerable in Samoan societies - the young women.
It's a quiet meditative film that has some deep issues at its heart which are bought out in unexpected ways - the dynamic of four bakery workers, the truly terrifying aiku spirit, and the intimate skill and trust in a fofo.
There are so many nuances that speak to a Pasifika audience through the skill of the language and the symbolism of the design. But mostly because it's funny, in that way that only Samoan language and behaviors can sometimes be.
It's a movie that will give you the feels the funnies and the frights all in one.
The acting is so on point that you are totally immersed in believing these characters whose stories are brought to screen so poignantly, with such contrasting storylines.
Screen veteran since the groundbreaking 'Sons for the return home', Uelese Petaia needs to take a bow as the central character whose internal torments have the most intense ghost in the history of cinema to keep him company.
Sima Urale brings a full cinematic brilliance to her aiku spirit - told with such simultaneous subtlety and strength that she slays with the power of her stare alone.
Frankie Adams brings new depths to her acting scope with her 'daughter' who adds a great character to her rapidly expanding acting career.
With a cast choka full of cameos from Nat Lees as the silent angry dad to the many female 'mothers' One Thousand Ropes fills the screen up with a whole raft of Pacific faces.
This fact, added to the brilliance of one of the most unexpected stories told in NZ cinema makes it a must see for Pacific people.
Tusi Tamasese alofa tele for bringing this important story into our lives - a study into the violence of Pacific men and those who are vulnerable to it. Malo lava le taumafai!
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Check out pictures from the New Zealand Premiere in Manukau last night
Images via the One Thousand Ropes Facebook page & Lisa Taouma
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